A caramel apple is the perfect activity for Thanksgiving and a great way to welcome fall. The mix of fruit, caramel, and endless toppings results in a dessert loved by many. This recipe for Easy Caramel Apples allows you to make a delicious, homemade version of a hometown fair favorite in no time. 

We recently made these at Stephen’s Place and it was an activity that everyone enjoyed. Before we got the apples nicely coated in caramel, we set up tons of awesome toppings that created an immersive, sensory experience for our residents. 

You will need:

• 4 x Granny Smith apples
• 2 x bags soft Werthers (or another brand) caramels
• 1.5 x Tablespoons heavy cream
• Assorted toppings, such as dried coconut, chopped nuts, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, candy eyes, or melted chocolate
• Lollipop sticks
• A few pieces of kitchen roll
• Wax paper 
• Regular bowls (for toppings)
• A saucepan
• Baking tray
  

How to make caramel apples

1. Start by setting out bowls to place your different toppings in. One bowl for each topping. If you’re using chocolate, nuts or anything choppable, make sure you chop or crush them down to fairly small pieces so that they’ll stick to the caramel when dipped.
   
2. Next, thoroughly wash and dry your apples and place them on a few pieces of kitchen roll to make sure that they’re fully dry. Any moisture on your apples will make it so that the caramel can’t adhere to them properly.
   
3. Holding your apple firmly, place a stick in the top of each one. Make sure that the stick is stable and won’t come out. About halfway through the apple should do it, try not to go all the way through the apple because it will make the stick slide out and you might inadvertently chomp into the stick.
   
4. Next, set aside a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
   
5. Set a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and place the unwrapped caramels in the saucepan. Pour the heavy cream over the caramels and simmer, stirring gently, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. Once the caramels and heavy cream are fully melted together and incorporated, reduce the heat to its lowest setting.
   
6. Take each apple and dip it into the caramel mixture. Lightly shake off any excess caramel.
   
7. Roll your apples in your favorite toppings (and/or add candy eyes) before placing them, bottom down, onto the lined baking sheet.
   
8. Let the apples rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or until the caramel has hardened.
   
9. And now you have the perfect fall treat ready to be eaten at will!!